Friday, July 22, 2011
Visitors to New Zealand
If you are not from a visa-free country, you will need to apply for a visitor visa before you come to New Zealand.
Requirements
When you apply for a visitor visa, we want to know that:
- you are in good health
- you are of good character; and
- the visa you are applying for matches your intentions for your visit.
Your passport
You will have to show us your passport. This must be valid for at least three months past the date you are to leave New Zealand.
Proof that you plan to leave New Zealand
You will need to show us proof that you have plans and the means to leave within the period of your visa. Suitable proof may include:
- actual travel tickets (confirmed or open-dated) out of New Zealand to a country which you have the right to enter; or
- written confirmation from an airline or travel agency that onward travel has been booked and paid for.
Evidence of funds
You will also need to show us proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. This means you have a minimum of:
- NZ$1000 per person per month of the visit, or
- NZ$400 per person per month if accommodation has already been paid for – we will require proof of prepayment, such as hotel prepaid vouchers.
Acceptable evidence of sufficient funds can be demonstrated in the form of:
- cash
- travellers' cheques
- bank drafts
- recognised credit cards with sufficient credit available – it is recommended that visitors have an up-to-date credit card statement.
Other acceptable evidence is a declaration by an acceptable sponsor that they will pay for your accommodation and maintenance. See the Sponsorship for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025) PDF.
Who cannot get a visa?
As well as people who don't meet the basic requirements listed above, some people who have committed serious crimes will not be allowed into New Zealand at all. Sections 15 and 16 of the Immigration Act 2009 outline what disqualifies an applicant in these terms.
If your application is incomplete when you submit it, you submit false information or you don't meet our requirements we may refuse or decline your application.
How long can I stay?
The maximum stay under a visitor visa is nine months. Visa-free visitors are initially granted a three month visitor visa (or six if you are from the United Kingdom), you will need to apply for a further visitor visa if you wish to stay longer in New Zealand.
We usually only allow visitors to stay for nine months in an 18-month period. To work this out, we look at the last day that you intend to be in New Zealand (eg 1 July 2009), and count back 18 months from there (eg 1 January 2008). When you apply for a visa in one of our branches, we make sure that in that 18-month period (eg 1 January 2008 – 1 July 2009) you will not be spending more than nine months in New Zealand.
Arriving at the border visa-free
If you are a visa-free visitor, you apply for a visa at the border by filling in your arrival card. You will be allowed to stay for three months (or six months if from the United Kingdom) on each visit, and no more than six months in any 12-month period. So we will look at what date your visit will end and count back 12 months from there. We then make sure that in that 12-month period (eg 1 July 2008 – 1 July 2009) you will not be spending more than six months in New Zealand.
If you decide while you are in New Zealand you wish to stay longer, you should contact us.
What about my family?
Your application can cover your partner, and any dependent children up to the age of 19. Children over 20, and non-dependants, will need to make their own application.
Dependent children of Essential Skills work visa holders
Visitor visa applications for dependent children of Essential Skills work visa holders will need to include evidence that the parent who holds the Essential Skills work visa meets a minimum income threshold. If the dependent child’s parent does not meet the minimum income threshold, the child’s application may be declined.
A dependent child is only assessed against the minimum income requirements under the Essential Skills immigration instructions when they intend to live with their parents. If the child is applying for a short visit under the general visitor immigration instructions, evidence that their parent(s) meets the minimum income threshold is not required.
More information regarding the Essential Skills minimum income threshold requirement can be found in the Visitor Visa Guide (INZ 1018) PDF. Please also see our Essential Skills minimum income requirement questions and answers.
Special visitor categories
There are other requirements for people who visit under one of our special visitor categories.
We may ask some applicants to pay a bond or offer them a limited visa.
Medical insurance
We recommend that you have comprehensive medical insurance for the duration of your visit. If you are from the United Kingdom or Australia, you will get the same immediate medical coverage as a New Zealand citizen or resident, thanks to our Reciprocal Health Agreements.
After you arrive
If you are granted a visitor visa you need to meet certain conditions during your stay.
- You may not work while you are in New Zealand (unless you are granted a work visa).
- You may not study for more than three months while you are in New Zealand (unless you are granted a student visa).
- You must keep within New Zealand’s laws.
- You must only stay in New Zealand for the time allowed by your visa.
If you breach any of these conditions you may become liable for deportation.
How to apply
Once you are familiar with our rules and requirements, you can begin the process of applying.
Fee Related Notes
The New Zealand Government has bilateral fee-waiver agreements with the Philippines. Citizens of the Philippines do not have to pay the fee below if the application is made outside New Zealand and the period of stay does not exceed 59 days. HOWEVER, for visits that intend to exceed 59 days the visitor visa fee is 4650 pesos
Manila Branch
Fee Information PHP4650
Branch Details
Office: MANILA
Email: inzmanila@dol.govt.nz
Postal Address Manlia Branch
Unit 901
9/F One Corporate Plaza
845 Antonio Arnaiz Ave (Pasay Rd)
Makati City
THE PHILIPPINES
Unit 901
9/F One Corporate Plaza
845 Antonio Arnaiz Ave (Pasay Rd)
Makati City
THE PHILIPPINES
Physical Address Manlia Branch
New Zealand Embassy
23rd Floor, BPI Buendia Centre
Sen Gil Puyat Avenue,
Makati City 1272
*Please note we do not provide counter services, nor accept walk in inquiries or applications
THE PHILIPPINES
New Zealand Embassy
23rd Floor, BPI Buendia Centre
Sen Gil Puyat Avenue,
Makati City 1272
*Please note we do not provide counter services, nor accept walk in inquiries or applications
THE PHILIPPINES
Phone: 0063 2 845 9222
Fax: 0063 2 891 5353
Office Hours Monday to Friday: 8.30am - 12.30pm.
1.30pm - 4.30pm for phone inquires.
1.30pm - 4.30pm for phone inquires.
Branch Notes
The Manila Branch has appointed Philippine Interactive Services Incorporated (PIASI) as our outsourcing partner for visa applications. Visa applicants in the Philippines will be able to lodge their application either by arranging courier collection through the call centre number or by going through the Visa Information & Application (VIA) centre in Manila. This applies to ALL applications, sent either from NZ or from within the Philippines - they MUST go direct to the VIA Centre as per the postal address listed above
Please visit our branch pages to obtain information on how to lodge application
Postage fees:
Individual PHP 350 – roundtrip rate includes pickup and return.
Family group PHP 500 – roundtrip rate includes pickup and return.
Individual PHP 200 – one way rate applies to return of processed passports.
Family group PHP 300 – one way rate applies to return of processed passports
Individual PHP 350 – roundtrip rate includes pickup and return.
Family group PHP 500 – roundtrip rate includes pickup and return.
Individual PHP 200 – one way rate applies to return of processed passports.
Family group PHP 300 – one way rate applies to return of processed passports
Payment Methods
Personal Cheque NO
Bank Cheque/Draft YES
Money Order NO
Cash NO
Credit Card NO
Other Managers Cheque
Payment Notes
If paid by bank cheque/draft, the draft should be addressed to the NZ Immigration Service.
For more information, you can contact our offices on the numbers below
Quezon City
9379678
6661881
a3nova@yahoo.com
Antipolo
655-9480
655-9603
a3masinag@yahoo.com
Valenzuela
922-5796
a3valenzuela@yahoo.com
